Snap switch

ABSTRACT

Electrical conducting means provide electrical contact seats for receiving a switch blade, the electrical conducting means being carried on a surface of a terminal board and having tangs extending through the terminal board to be crimped over to secure the electrical conducting means to the board.

i United States Patent Hauenstine Dec. 16, 1975 SNAP SWITCH 2,555,258 5/1951 Walley, Jr 200/246 x 2,796,499 6/1957 Barden'et a1. 200/284 [75] Inventor. Edgar F. Hauenstine, Frankfort, 1nd. 2796500 6/1957 Barden et a1. 4 4 0 200/284 73 Assignee; p Mallory & Inc 3,748,419 7/1973 Torrey et a1. 200/155 R Indianapolis, Ind.

[22] Filed: Sept. 12, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 505,464

[52] U.S. C1. 200/284; 200/155 R [51] Int. C1. H0111 l/58 [58] Field of Search 200/284, 237, 293, 155 R, 200/153 LB, 68, 246, 283

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,813,407 7/1931 Knudsen 200/159 A 2,172,396 9/1939 Mever 200/284 X Primary Examiner-James R. Scott Assistant ExaminerWilliam J. Smith Attorney, Agent, or FirmChar1es W. Hoffmann; Robert F. Meyer; Donald W. Hanson [57] ABSTRACT Electrical conducting means provide electrical contact seats for receiving a switch blade, the electrical conducting means being carried on a surface of a terminal board and having tangs extending through the terminal board to be crimped over to secure the electrical conducting means to the board.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 3,927,289

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SNAP swrrcrr Generally speaking the present invention relates to a switch assembly which comprises a terminal board having opposed surfaces, electrically conductive means providing electrical contact seats at at least three positions, means integral with one of the seats pivotly receiving an end of a switch blade, movement of the blade selectively engaging another end of the blade with one of the other of the remaining two seats, apertures in the terminal board, the electrically conductive means further including tangs extending through selected ones of the apertures and crimped over against the other of the opposed surfaces, electrical terminals electrically connected to the electrically conductive means, and actuator means pivoting the switch blade.

This invention pertains to snap switches and more particularly to snap switches of the type mounted on the back of volume controls and which are designed to switch fairly heavy currents used in radio and television circuits and sets.

By the very nature of their use, the size of these switches is important as relatively small dimensions are characteristic of the specifications and dimensions set forth in these circuits. These characteristics lead to the problems of fabricating a switch capable of handling the currents, provide for good snap-acting switching, and at the same time be simple and economical to produce.

A snap switch which very admirably fulfills these requirements is that disclosed and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,324,261 issued June 6, 1967 to Charles L. Burns. The present invention represents an improvement over the Burns switch. Although not disclosed in the abovenoted patent, the terminal members are, in practice, secured to the housing cap or terminal board through rivets. This adds to the cost of the switch.

The present invention eliminates such rivets. In addition, the present switch permits the cap for the housing to serve as a printed circuit board.

It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide a snap switch assembly which is neat and compact and easy to fabricate. Another feature of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly having electrical conductive means providing electrical contact seats for receiving a switch blade. Still another feature of the present invention is to provide such a switch assembly wherein the electrically conductive means is carried on one side of a terminal board and has tangs extending through apertures in the board to be crimped over to secure the electrically conductive means to the board. Yet still another feature of the invention is to provide such a switch assembly wherein the tangs extend over a portion of the terminal board to provide electrical paths to electrical terminals extend ing from the board. These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of an embodiment of a switch assembly;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the housing of the switch in cross section;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of another embodiment of the switch assembly; and

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a switch assembly 10 which is generally of the type disclosed and claimed in the above-noted Burns patent US. Pat. No. 3,324,261. In general the assembly is comprised of a terminal board 12 which closes a cup shaped housing 14 (cup-shape shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4), electrical conductive means 16, a switch spring blade 18, and an actuator means 20 for causing movement of the blade.

Electrical conductive means 16 includes a pair of electrically conductive paths 22 and 24 which are held to terminal board 12 through tangs 26, 28, 30 and 32, the tangs extending through the corresponding apertures 26, 28, 30 and 32' provided in the terminal board and then being crimped over. Electrical conductive means 16 further includes tangs 34, 36, and 38 extending from the electrically conductive paths, the tangs further extending through their respective apertures 34', 36' and 38 in terminal board 12 and then being crimped over. In addition to further aiding in holding the electrical conductive paths to the terminal board tangs 34, 36 and 38 serve to provide three seats 40, 42 and 44 providing electrical contact points for switch blade 18. One of the seats, 40, includes a V- shaped notch 46 pivotly carrying an end 18' of switch spring blade 18. Seat 42 is provided through a flange 48 extending from tang 34, while seat 44 is provided by notch 50 formed in tang 36.

Electrical terminals 52 and 54 are integral with conductive paths 22 and 24 and are of the plug in type such that terminal board 12, in effect, serves as a printed circuit board.

Cup-shaped housing 14 is attached to terminal board 12 through tangs 56, 57 and 58 extending through apertures 56, 57 and 58' provided in the terminal board, the tangs then being crimped over.

Switch actuator means 20 includes a triangular shaped boss 60 which is pivoted upon rotation of a shaft 62. Such action is completely described in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,324,261 and need not be described in detail in the present invention. Suffice it to say that pivoting boss 60 pivots the end 18" of the switch blade between electrical contact seats 48 and 50. With the spring in the position shown in FIG. 2, the switch will be open and with the spring engaged with seat 42, the switch is closed forming a circuit between terminals 52 and 54 through seats 40, 42 and 44.

FIGS. 3 and 4 depict another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is particularly adaptable to those application requiring eyelet type of terminals receiving electrical leads. Electrical paths and 72 are carried on terminal board 12' through tangs 74, 76 and 78, extending through their respective apertures 74', 76 and 78', 80' provided in the terminal board, the tangs then being crimped over. Electrical contact seats 82, 84 and 86 are provided by extensions 70', 70" and 72 respectively. Seat 82 includes a V-shaped notch 88 pivotly receiving switch spring blade 90. Seat 84 includes a notch 92 in extension 70", while seat 86 includes a flange 94 extending substantially normal to extension 72. Eyelet electrical terminals 96 are provided by extensions 98 and 100 of electrical paths 72 and 74, the extensions being bent over and extended through apertures 98' and 100' provided in terminal board 12'.

Cup'shaped housing 14' is attached to terminal board 12' through tangs 102, 104 and 106 which ex- 3 tend through their respective apertures 102, 104' and 106 provided in the terminal board, the tangs being crimped over.

A triangular boss 60' pivots spring blade 90 in the manner of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 to open and close the electrical switch. As in FIG. 2, the position of the blade in FIG. 3 shows the switch in the open position.

What is claimed is:

1. A switch assembly comprising;

a. a terminal board having opposed surfaces,

b. electrically conductive means providing electrical contact seatsat at least three positions,

c. means integral with one of said seats pivotly receiving an end of a switch blade, movement of said blade selectively engaging another end of said blade with'one of the other of the remaining two seats,

d. apertures in said terminal board, said electrically conductive means further including tangs extending through selected ones of said apertures and crimped over against the other of said opposed surfaces,

e. electrical terminals electrically connected to electrically conductive means, and

f. actuator means pivoting said switch blade.

2. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein there are three of said contact seats.

3. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tangs extend over said surface and are integral with said electrical terminals.

4. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said electrical terminals extend through other selected apertures of said apertures. 

1. A switch assembly comprising; a. a terminal board having opposed surfaces, b. electrically conductive means providing electrical contact seats at at least three positions, c. means integral with one of said seats pivotly receiving an end of a switch blade, movement of said blade selectively engaging another end of said blade with one of the other of the remaining two seats, d. apertures in said terminal board, said electrically conductive means further including tangs extending through selected ones of said apertures and crimped over against the other of said opposed surfaces, e. electrical terminals electrically connected to electrically conductive means, and f. actuator means pivoting said switch blade.
 2. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein there are three of said contact seats.
 3. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said tangs extend over said surface and are integral with said electrical terminals.
 4. A switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said electrical terminals extend through other selected apertures of said apertures. 